Southampton drafts in Mauricio Pellegrino as new manager

Mauricio Pellegrino succeeded Claude Puel as manager of Southampton on Friday, with the club confirming that its new boss has inked a three-year contract in Hampshire.

The 45-year-old joins the Saints after leading CD Alaves to the final of the Copa del Rey and ninth place of La Liga in 2016-17. The retired defender also offers brief experience in the Premier League from a short sojourn with Liverpool in the latter stages of his playing days.

"I am delighted that after a diligent selection process we have recruited Mauricio Pellegrino as our new first-team manager," said vice-chairman Les Reed.

"We had an impressive list of candidates and went through a comprehensive interview process. Mauricio impressed us throughout with his depth of knowledge, motivation and ability, communicating this in a professional and passionate way.

"He has an excellent understanding of the Southampton Way, and his style of play and aspiration matches the philosophy, culture and ambition of the club."

That philosophy shares similarities with the famed high-press and attack-favouring approach of his old Velez Sarsfield boss Marcelo Bielsa, but he's also shown adaptability through the defensive stifling of Barcelona in a shock 2-1 win at the Camp Nou last September.

He'll be the second Argentinian to oversee Southampton after Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino, and - in keeping with a club that has championed players like Matt Le Tissier, Marian Pahars, and Adam Lallana - indicates he'll insist on a style that will be easy on the eye.

That should be rapturously received at St Mary's after sections of the home support grew irksome with Puel's conservative methods.

"I am really happy to become the new coach of Southampton Football Club," Pellegrino declared. "The club has a great reputation for having a strong and stable structure, competing in the Premier League, and playing attractive football.

"I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together. We have to be a team on and off the pitch; I want to make the supporters proud of the players and to feel part of the game every week. I want to win matches, be successful, and develop a team spirit where everyone gives 100 percent and supports each other."

The south-coast side is slated to begin its 2017-18 Premier League campaign with a visit from Swansea City on Aug. 12.